Many people outside of the eastern United States have yet to hear about the Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project. If it were not for RainCity Brands, British Columbia’s newest craft beer distributor, I too would have no idea Pretty Things existed. Luckily for me, on a trip to the Alibi Room for a pre-holiday pint, I ran into the man behind RainCity Brands. It was there I was treated to a sample of Babayaga, a Pretty Things’ winter seasonal, and the story behind the Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project.

Babayaga, a name that triggered a memory of an obscure Sam Rockwell movie called Lawn Dogs, is what can best be described as an American stout. If you are looking for a style guide definition beer, I highly suggest you look elsewhere as you’ll find none of that here. What you will find is a mix of chocolate, coffee, and tobacco flavors spread across a base flavor of campfire. The mouth feel is a little lighter than most stouts and has a bit of an oily character to it. That said, it is an absolutely outstanding beer and I look forward to enjoying many more over the cold winter months.

One thing is for certain, Pretty Things is far from your average beer brand. They don’t own a brewery, nor do they contract brew their beers. Instead of the two standard situations they opt to rent a brewery and have the staff of that brewery ‘babysit’ the beer while they are not there. The result is a business model that is as creative as the brews they are selling. Thanks to RainCity Brands, Pretty Things will be appearing in select stores across the lower mainland this week, and I have no doubt will continue to expand thanks to the passion and hard work driving the project.

Another week, another Cask Cast. Despite the fact I have been quiet this week, rest assured, I am out there hustling. This week saw many positives for the craft beer industry. Most notably, Rock Art Brewery was able to escape the clutches of corporate america. Many many people are to thank for this moral victory. However, without the steadfast convictions of Rock Art we may have never been able to test our mettle as a community. With the help of Rock Art’s fellow brewers, an army of hardcore beer bloggers, and the most important – craft beer lovers, they were able to fight off the ‘Monster.’ With that in mind, let us celebrate with yet another week of Cask Cast. Cheers to Two Guys On Beer, Two Beer Queers, Abs Of Beer TV, Beer Tap TV, and everyones favorite – Hop Cast, for letting the world know about the virtues of craft beer. Keep up the good work gentleman.

Hop Cast – Episode 60

Beer Buzz – Episode 49

Two Guys On Beer – Episode 111

Taste Buds – Episode 147

This week the Two Beer Queers and Abs Of Beer TV are a little delayed thanks to their epic redesigns. With this in mind I am going to give you some classic episodes from their library. It’s nice to see how far they have come since they first started their beer casts, thus I give you episode 1 of both their shows.

Two Beer Queers – Episode 1

Abs Of Beer TV – Episode 1

Have a fantastic weekend!

Better late than never, I suppose. No matter what happens you can’t keep a good Cask Cast down. Luckily for me, all my good friends at Two Guys On Beer, Two Beer Queers, Beer Tap TV, Hop Cast, and Abs Of Beer TV have been working harder than I have. In fact, if you check out Two Beer Queers and Abs Of Beer TV’s sites, you’ll notice both have recently done awesome redesigns. I hope you enjoy this weeks Cask Cast; as long as you keep checking them out, I’ll keep posting them.

Two Beer Queers – Episode 35

Two Guys On Beer – Episode 109

Abs Of Beer TV – Episode 5

Beer Buzz – Episode 48

Hop Cast – Episode 59

Taste Buds – Episode 145

Another week down, another Cask Cast ready to rock. I can’t stress enough how much I love being able to work with all these passionate video bloggers on a regular basis. As promised, this week Cask Cast has a new addition to its roster. The guys over at Abs Of Beer TV contacted me the other week and asked if they could get on Cask Cast. After reviewing their show, I thought I’d let them marinade for a bit and see how things progressed. Needless to say I wasn’t expecting them to deliver such an awesome product as early as their fourth episode. With that in mind, I’m happy to say they are now part of a roster that includes Two Guys On Beer, Two Beer Queers, Hop Cast, and Beer Tap TV. Good company to keep if you ask me…

Abs Of Beer TV – Episode 4

Two Guys On Beer – Episode 106

Hop Cast – Episode 58

Beer Buzz – Episode 47

Taste Buds – Episode 141

Two Beer Queers – Episode 33

Up here in Canada it’s Thanksgiving weekend. Yeah, yeah, I know – we’re weird. Whatever you think about our northern customs, I have to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who come and check out truecask.com. It’s very humbling to know that people actually care about what I have to say and wish to share in my passion for beer. Additionally, I want to thank all of the content creators who allow me to post their beer shows in the weekly Cask Cast. It’s awesome to know that within our community, we are in favor of collaborating and helping each other instead of tearing each other down. Have a fantastic weekend and enjoy some good brews for me.

Cask Cast is back! Last week things got a little crazy, and let’s face it, no one would have watched as they were too busy enjoying themselves at the Great American Beer Festival. I must say I wish I were there and am thoroughly jealous of any and all who attended. I want to thank all the great people producing shows and allowing me to repost their excellent content in a collective. Possibly the best thing about the beer scene is the small village-like feeling within the industry. Cheers to you Two Beer Queers, Two Guys On Beer, Beer Tap TV, and Hop Cast!

Two Beer Queers – Episode 34

Hop Cast – Episode 56

Two Guys On Beer – Episode 104

Beer Buzz – Episode 46

Taste Buds – Episode 138

A big shout out goes to my big Hawaiian brothers over at Two Beer Queers. They gave me a shout out last week, just in time for me to miss Cask Cast for the first time ever! Figures that would happen. Much love to everyone else and if you got a beer show and want on Cask Cast be sure to give me a shout. I may or may not put you on but I promise I will watch your show. In fact, next week we’ll have a new addition to Cask Cast that got on just with that exact technique…

Last night after Beer School (update on that coming after the midway point of the course), I made my way up to Firefly Fine Wines and Ales in order to pick up tickets for tomorrow’s CAMRA Oktoberfest at Granville Island Brewery. While I was there, I decided to pick up a night cap or two. Braving the cold room, I poured over the endless supply of delicious craft that they offer. After about ten minutes of letting my body temperature drop like a stone, I emerged with two selections from southern tier brewing company – the jah*va Imperial Coffee Stout and the unearthly Imperial IPA.

Of these selections, I have only tasted the unearthly on a very hazy night right before a close friend’s wedding. Despite drinking many craft beers before this tasting, thus destroying my pallet, I distinctly remember this IPA’s flavor coming up and kicking me right in the ass. Opting for a more sober prespective this time, I bring you my impressions of the southern tier jah*va Imperial Coffee Stout and unearthly Imperial IPA.

unearthly Imperial IPA – Initially, I struggled with what brew to quaff first as both beers have monstrous amounts of alcohol and flavour. Forgoing an internal debate about hops over malts, I decided to let fate decide and flipped a coin, heads hit face up and thus we have the unearthly first to bat. I think the people over at southern tier took offense to the fact that most people believe the west coast owns the IPA market. In response, they have developed what may possibly be one of my favorite IPAs I’ve tasted all year. Surprisingly drinkable given the massive alcohol, (11% ABV) this hop bomb gives you everything you expect when opening the bottle; however, it manages to maintain balance. Keep in mind that despite my praise this is an absolute pallet wrecker and should be one of the last beers you taste if you’re running a gauntlet.

jah*va Imperial Coffee Stout – My girlfriend was extremely excited to see that I brought home a stout along with the IPA. If given a choice, she always picks a stout before any other beer. I myself also love stouts; however, I have less of an affinity for one particular style. Perhaps this is because I enjoy variety, or perhaps I just can’t make up my damn mind. After pouring two glasses, we wasted no time diving in and fully enjoying this southern tier offering. First thing I noticed was a massive amount of alcohol initially, almost giving the opposite effect of the unearthly. After a few more sips that characteristic faded into the background leaving extremely dark roast coffee flavors and bitterness. Absolutely lovely beer but almost worthy of three people splitting a bomber versus just two. To quote my girlfriend “I almost feel like I should add milk to it just to calm it down, actually, this would make a fantastic float. Next time I have one of these I have to add some vanilla ice cream!” Given she is the more passionate stout lover, I feel I’ll leave that as the final word on the jah*va.

Despite the fact this was not an actual trip to the southern tier it did open my eyes to the fact the west coast is not the only place enormous beers are being made. Although the stout was almost a little too much for me, the IPA was one of the best I have had in recent memory, if not ever. I am looking forward to expanding my east coast pallet, as outside of selections from Brooklyn Brewery and Dogfish Head I’ve clearly missed the boat on east coast brews.

]]> http://truecask.com/2009/09/a-trip-to-the-southern-tier/feed/ 1 http://truecask.com/2009/09/cask-cast-19-09-09/ http://truecask.com/2009/09/cask-cast-19-09-09/#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:44:26 +0000 cbjerrisgaard http://truecask.com/?p=772
I have had one hell of a crazy week. I’m sure that’s proven by the fact that a week has come and gone between Cask Casts and only one post separates them. That said, I have no complaints about the post that does; Great Canadian Beer Fest was possibly one of the best events I [...]]]>

I have had one hell of a crazy week. I’m sure that’s proven by the fact that a week has come and gone between Cask Casts and only one post separates them. That said, I have no complaints about the post that does; Great Canadian Beer Fest was possibly one of the best events I have attended ever. If things continue along the way they are I’ll be able to shed some light on exactly what I have brewing up. Trust me when I say – this could be huge. Till then, I hope you enjoy this weeks Cask Cast featuring Two Guys On Beer, Two Beer Queers, Beer Tap TV, and Hop Cast.

Two Beer Queers – Episode 32

Hop Cast – Episode 55

Beer Buzz – Episode 44

Two Guys On Beer – Episode 102

Taste Buds – Episode 132

After far too much waiting the day is finally here. I am currently on my way to Victoria and the Great Canadian Beer Festival. I have many brewers, many friends, and many beers too look forward to when I arrive. If you’re in no position to join us, and you probably aren’t if you’re reading this, at least you have Cask Cast to keep you entertained. Enjoy this weeks beer show round-up from the fine folks at Two Guys On Beer, Two Beer Queers, Hop Cast, Beer Buzz, and Taste Buds by Beer Tap TV.

Two Guys On Beer – Episode 100!

Two Beer Queers – Episode 31

Beer Buzz – Episode 43

Taste Buds – Episode 130

Hop Cast – Special (Hair Of The Dog)

This past labor day weekend I made my way east for about eight hours in a car with two other people and one rambunctious dog. We were heading to Rossland BC to attend the wedding of a close friend and take in some of the gorgeous scenery. Now, I am no stranger to the Kootenay-Columbia region of BC as I grew up there, so I knew craft beer is not exactly abundant. That said, the few local brewers have been expanding their reach and I was hopeful I would be able to get my hands on some of their offerings. Although few in numbers, the local breweries did not disappoint, proving even the rural areas of BC are brewing up some epic beers. Of these one beer stood out the most…

What The Huck? from Fernie Brewing Company blew my socks off. Much like the R&B Brewing Raspberry Sun Wheat God, the What The Huck? uses real huckleberries in the fermentation process, allowing the beer to ’sit’ on the berries. The result is a great session beer, perfect for the summer patio season. That said, there isn’t a ton special about another wheat beer with berries, so why am I giving this brew so much hype? Well you see, it’s the use of a local berry instead of using a standard flavor that makes it stand out. Brewers everywhere are making raspberry beers, but the use of huckleberries reminded me of my younger days. We used to climb the slopes of Red Mountain to pick these dark purple, deliciously sweet berries in order to make pancakes and a few dollars from local restaurants. Any beer that can send me back to a time before I even drank beer? Hard to beat that; other brewers take note!

On the road, at a wedding, and still bringing you the best shows the beer world has to offer! Last week we added Beer Buzz to our already impressive line-up of Two Guys On Beer, Two Beer Queers, and Hop Cast. This week we’re super hyped to bring you Taste Buds by Beer Tap TV, expanding the ever growing line-up of beer shows on our weekly Cask Cast!

Taste Buds on Beer Tap TV: Episode 126

Beer Buzz on Beer Tap TV: Episode 42

Two Beer Queers: Episode 30

Hop Cast: Episode 54

Two Guys On Beer: Episode 99

On that note, I am going to go enjoy my friends’ wedding. I stopped at my local bottle shop on the way up and bought close to $100 of craft to bring with me. Add to that the Nelson Brewing Company’s excellent offerings and you can rest easy knowing I’ll not have to drink any macro-brew while I’m away. Cheers!